Chapter 5
The Crowded Train
1. Why had Vinod gone to Bhopal and what were his plans after finishing his work?
Answer: Vinod had gone to Bhopal on an official visit for office work. After completing his work, he planned to return home to Indore the same night. He also bought a few things to take back home with him.
2. What did Vinod notice when he reached the railway station?
Answer: When Vinod reached Bhopal railway station, he noticed that the train was overcrowded. There were too many passengers, and it seemed impossible for him to travel comfortably in the second-class compartment.
3. Why could Vinod not change his travel plans?
Answer: Vinod did not have enough time to change his travel plans because he wanted to reach home that very night. He also did not have time to stand in line to buy another ticket.
4. What made Vinod decide to travel in the A/C coach?
Answer: Vinod saw that there were some vacant seats in the A/C coach. Since the second class was overcrowded, he decided to travel in the A/C coach and pay the extra fare later.
5. What was Vinod’s intention regarding the extra fare?
Answer: Vinod intended to pay the difference in fare as soon as the Travelling Ticket Examiner (T.T.E.) arrived to check the tickets.
6. What kind of people were travelling in the A/C coach?
Answer: The passengers in the A/C coach appeared to be rich businessmen. They were well-dressed and looked wealthy and respectable.
7. Who entered the coach just before the train started moving?
Answer: A poorly-dressed young man with a worn-out suitcase entered the coach just before the train started moving and sat down.
8. Why did the young man look out of place in the A/C coach?
Answer: The young man looked out of place because he was poorly dressed and carried an old suitcase, while the other passengers looked rich and well-dressed.
9. How did the other passengers react to the young man’s presence?
Answer: Some passengers started whispering, while others looked uncomfortable. A few stopped reading their newspapers and stared at him before continuing to read again.
10. Why was Vinod surprised to see the young man in the A/C coach?
Answer: Vinod was surprised because the young man did not look wealthy enough to afford an A/C ticket. He wondered how he managed to get into the coach.
11. What did Vinod think about the young man’s ticket?
Answer: Vinod thought that the young man might not have a valid ticket and might be expecting that no one would check his ticket.
12. Why did Vinod doubt the young man’s ability to pay the fare?
Answer: Vinod doubted him because of his simple and poor appearance. He judged him based on his clothes and suitcase.
13. When did the T.T.E. appear in the coach?
Answer: The T.T.E. appeared about half an hour after the train started moving.
14. What did Vinod do when the T.T.E. arrived?
Answer: Vinod immediately held out his ticket along with the extra money to pay the difference for travelling in the A/C coach.
15. How did the young man behave when the T.T.E. came?
Answer: The young man remained calm and did not show any fear or nervousness when the T.T.E. approached him.
16. Why did Vinod wonder about the young man’s calmness?
Answer: Vinod wondered why the young man was so calm if he did not have a ticket. He expected him to be nervous or afraid.
17. What did the young man show to the T.T.E.?
Answer: The young man showed a valid ticket for travelling in the A/C coach.
18. How did the story challenge the passengers’ assumptions?
Answer: The story showed that appearances can be misleading. Even though the young man looked poor, he had a valid ticket.
19. What lesson does the story teach about judging others?
Answer: The story teaches us not to judge people by their appearance, as external looks do not always reflect reality.
20. Why did the other passengers feel uncomfortable?
Answer: They felt uncomfortable because they believed the young man did not belong in the A/C coach due to his simple appearance.
21. What does the word “overcrowded” mean in the story?
Answer: “Overcrowded” means filled with too many people, leaving little or no space.
22. What is meant by “official visit”?
Answer: An official visit means a trip made for work or office-related purposes.
23. What is a “worn-out” suitcase?
Answer: A worn-out suitcase is an old and damaged suitcase that has been used for a long time.
24. Why is a valid ticket important while travelling?
Answer: A valid ticket proves that a passenger has paid the required fare and has the right to travel legally.
25. How did the businessmen behave towards the young man?
Answer: They looked at him suspiciously and whispered among themselves, showing their disapproval.
26. What does this story say about social differences?
Answer: The story highlights how society often judges people based on their clothing and appearance.
27. Why did Vinod pay the difference in fare?
Answer: Vinod paid the difference because he had originally bought a second-class ticket but travelled in an A/C coach.
28. What mistake did Vinod make in his thinking?
Answer: Vinod wrongly assumed that the young man did not have a ticket based on his appearance.
29. What quality of the young man impressed the readers?
Answer: His calmness and confidence impressed the readers.
30. How did the young man prove everyone wrong?
Answer: He calmly showed his valid A/C ticket to the T.T.E., proving he had the right to travel there.
31. What does this story teach about fairness?
Answer: It teaches that everyone deserves equal respect regardless of their appearance.
32. Why was Vinod’s decision practical?
Answer: Vinod’s decision was practical because he wanted to reach home on time and planned to pay the extra fare honestly.
33. How did the setting of the railway station contribute to the story?
Answer: The overcrowded station created the situation that forced Vinod to choose the A/C coach.
34. What is the role of the T.T.E. in the story?
Answer: The T.T.E. checks tickets and ensures that passengers are travelling legally.
35. Why is the title “The Crowded Train” appropriate?
Answer: The title is appropriate because the overcrowded train led to all the events in the story.
36. How did the young man’s appearance mislead others?
Answer: His poor clothes and old suitcase made others think he could not afford an A/C ticket.
37. What was Vinod’s reaction after seeing the valid ticket?
Answer: Vinod must have felt surprised and perhaps ashamed of his earlier assumptions.
38. How does the story promote honesty?
Answer: It shows that Vinod was honest enough to pay the extra fare willingly.
39. What is the main theme of the story?
Answer: The main theme is not to judge people by their appearance.
40. How would you describe the young man’s character?
Answer: The young man can be described as calm, confident, and self-respecting, as he did not react to others’ judgments and proved himself through his valid ticket.
Answer by Mrinmoee
